Graduate Students in Music Education (MUSIC TEP)

Prospective Music Educators

The Music Education program is run jointly by the Music Department and by the Hunter College School of Education. There is a basic core of education courses taught by the School of Education, two methods courses taught by the Music Department, additional required courses taught by the Music Department, and one semester of student teaching. A total of 40 to 42 credits must be taken in order to graduate. In certain cases, a maximum of 12 credits in music courses transferred from other institutions might be accepted towards the MA in Music Education; see the Hunter College Graduate Catalogue and the music department Graduate Adviser for details. In certain cases, substitutions for some required music classes may be made in consultation with the music department Graduate Adviser.

Prospective and current Music TEP students should be sure to review all of the additional and important information about the Music Education program that is found on the School of Education's website, including information about School of Education course pre-requisites and co-requisites. The School of Education's adviser for the Music Education program is Associate Dean Matthew Caballero. Questions relating to School of Education matters should be directed to him at mc1360@hunter.cuny.edu.

All required classes are offered at night. However, several of those classes involve fieldwork (observing classes of public school students during the day). In addition, during the one required semester of student teaching, you are assigned all day, every day to an elementary school for one half of the semester and to a secondary school for the other half of the semester. All fieldwork and student teaching is done in the New York City Schools.

Prospective TEP students are strongly urged to contact Victor V. Bobetsky, Director of Music Education Studies, and the Music Department Graduate Adviser, L. Poundie Burstein, to find out more about our program and admission policies. Current TEP students likewise are strongly recommended to meet at least once a year with Profs. Bobetsky and Burstein to discuss their program.

Methods: (taught by the Music Department) MUSED 677 Methods of Teaching Instrumental Music in the Elementary and Secondary Schools (2 cr., 3 hr. per week class plus 18 hours of fieldwork) MUSED 678 Methods of Teaching Vocal and General Music in the Elementary and Secondary Schools (2 cr., 3 hr. per week class plus 18 hours of fieldwork)

Student Teaching or Practicum:SEDC 756 Student Teaching in Music (Grades Pre-K-12) (5 cr.), or SEDC 776.10 Practicum in Music (Grades Pre-K-6) PLUSSEDC 776.20 Practicum in Music (Grades 7-12) (2 cr. each) Student teaching is required of all TEP students. In certain cases, students who are already working as full time music teachers but are not yet certified may be eligible to take the practicum sequence and be observed at their work site.

Music TEP students must take proficiency exams in Western music history, music theory, keyboard skills, dictation, and sight singing before beginning the program (Music TEP students do not need to take a foreign language examination). Students whose proficiency exam test scores suggest special problem areas might be asked to take remedial undergraduate courses to remedy these weaknesses. All students must pass the proficiency exams before completing more than 18 credits towards their degree.

As a culminating project, Music TEP students are required to prepare a portfolio containing examples of their work. These can include papers which have been graded and commented on by professors, lesson plans, and student reflections on their own growth and experiences throughout the program. It is important that you save all of your work from all of your classes. During the semester when you student teach, Professor Bobetsky will guide you in the preparation of your portfolio.

It is expected that all Music TEP students will become members of Hunter's collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education (MENC). See Professor Bobetsky for application materials.